A new community hub, which will provide a space for skills development, social activities, and support for local residents, is now open in Boughton.

Coun Lee Brazier, housing portfolio holder at Newark and Sherwood District Council, chair Coun Celia Brooks, and Counr Linda Tift opened the hub (above).

It will provide a base for tenants and residents to work with the council and partner organisations to tackle local issues. It will also be used as a space for groups and clubs to meet and provide vocational and academic courses for residents.

A three-bedroom council house has been transformed into the community space, which features a ramped external entrance, meeting room, and office, complete with computers and internet access for residents.

Local people will benefit from face-to-face contact at the hub for a variety of enquiries about council and partner services, including housing and tenancy support, health and wellbeing, and community safety and security concerns.

As part of the launch, council officers talked to residents about how they can use it and if they had suggestions for other ways the hub could be used to benefit the community.

Families took part in activities throughout the day, including helping with new graffiti wall artwork, entertainment from local musicians, and taking part in sports games provided by Active4Today.

The Hub has been partly funded through the council’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It will be open from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. There will also be occasions times when the hub will be open from 6pm-9pm. For more information go to www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/boughton-community-hub.

Lee said: “The hub will be so important for so many residents and will make such a massive difference in the lives of the local community. It will make it much easier for residents to come and talk to us, access support, and resolve any issues they may have.

“I am committed to ensuring that tenant and resident views continue to be at the heart of this project and that it continues to reflect the wants of local people. Therefore, if anyone has any suggestions of what they would like to see at the hub, please let us know.

“This hub is for the community of Boughton. Please do pop in and say hello to our team, who will be based here—we are here to help!”